The Giant Raft · Chapter
XX: The Lower Amazon explained
The jangada continues its journey down the Amazon, passing various towns and tributaries.
What happens
The jangada continues its journey down the Amazon, passing various towns and tributaries. The family marvels at the scenery, and Manoel points out the Sierras. The raft eventually reaches Belém do Pará, where Joam Dacosta receives a hero's welcome. The chapter concludes with the double wedding of Manoel and Minha, and Fragoso and Lina, celebrated with great festivity.
Themes in this chapter
Journey and Transformation
The jangada's voyage down the Amazon symbolizes the family's journey toward redemption and new beginnings, culminating in the weddings.
Love and Marriage
The chapter concludes with the double wedding of Manoel and Minha, and Fragoso and Lina, celebrated with great joy.
Family and Loyalty
The Dacosta family is reunited and supported by the community; Joam Dacosta is welcomed back after his long exile.
Characters to notice
- Joam Dacosta
Returns to a new life, shedding happiness on his family; receives a sympathetic reception in Belém.
- Minha Garral
Expresses wonder at the valley; marries Manoel Valdez.
- Manoel Valdez
Points out the Sierras to the family; marries Minha Garral.
- Lina
Repeats 'How beautiful!'; marries Fragoso.
- Fragoso
Asks 'When shall we get there?'; marries Lina.
- Benito Garral
Recovers his former good humor; present at the weddings.
- Yaquita Garral
Escorted by the governor of Belém at the wedding ceremony.
- Padre Passanha
Celebrates the double marriage of Manoel and Minha, and Fragoso and Lina.
Key passages
“How magnificent! remarked Minha, over and over again. How long! murmured Manoel. How beautiful! repeated Lina. When shall we get there? murmured Fragoso.”
Minha repeatedly exclaimed at the grandeur, Manoel sighed at the duration, Lina echoed the beauty, and Fragoso wondered when they would arrive.
Shows the different perspectives of the characters during the journey.
“To the right, said he, that is the Sierra de Parácuarta, which curves in a half-circle to the south! To the left, that is the Sierra de Curuva, of which we have already passed the first outposts.”
Manoel identified the mountain ranges on either side of the river, explaining their names and positions.
Demonstrates Manoel's familiarity with the region.
“The hearts of the passengers of the giant raft beat high. At length they were coming to the end of the voyage which they had thought they would never reach.”
The travelers felt great excitement as they neared the end of their long journey, which at one point seemed impossible to complete.
Captures the emotional relief and anticipation of the family.